Berryville in Clarke County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Josephine City

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 15, 2007

1. Josephine City Marker

Inscription. To improve the lives of former slaves, Ellen McCormick, widow of Edward McCormick of Clermont, established this African American community of 31 one-acre lots early in the 1870s. The lots, laid out on either side of the 16-foot-wide street that originated near the tollgate on the Berryville Turnpike, sold for $100 each. The community probably was named for Josephine Williams, who owned two lots. By 1900 Josephine City had become an oasis for Clarke County’s African American residents and included a school, grocery store, gas station, boarding house, restaurant, cemetery, and two churches.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number J-19.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 8.678′ N, 77° 59.12′ W. Marker was in Berryville, Virginia, in Clarke County. Marker was on Josephine Street near South Church Street, on the

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right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Berryville VA 22611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Josephine City (a few steps from this marker); Berryville (approx. ¼ mile away); The Schools of Josephine City (approx. 0.3 miles away); Milton Valley Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lucy Diggs Slowe (approx. 0.4 miles away); Benjamin Berry (approx. half a mile away); Clarke County (approx. half a mile away); Josephine School Community Museum & The African-American Experience (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berryville.

More about this marker. This marker was replaced by a new one also named Josephine City (see nearby markers).

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 15, 2007

2. Josephine City Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,727 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.